How assessments work

It is prudent that candidates understand both the purpose and structure of an examination when preparing for it. This will help to guide the study and will increase the chances of passing the examination. The purpose of the exit examination in paediatric surgery is to assure the Specialist Advisory Committee of Training or the Specialty Training Committee (or equivalent) that the candidate has reached the required level to practise safely as an independent practitioner across a broad range of paediatric surgical conditions. The examinations are aligned to a clearly defined curriculum. As independent safe practice is the endpoint, rigorously trained examiners set questions testing the higher levels of cognitive function in areas such as clinical and operative judgement. They assume the candidates already have the knowledge commensurate with their stage: they wish to assess how well that knowledge can be applied in the clinical setting. This chapter provides an approach to constructed response tests, selective response tests, and oral examinations, and provides suggestions on how to pass each section of an examination. The format of the exit examinations does not allow equal assessment of all the surgical competencies required of a trainee on graduation; for example, while it can assess operative decision-making, it is not well suited to assessing technical ability as this is something better assessed in the operating theatre.